Ever wonder what it’s like to be a part of the girls varsity basketball team here at Brewster? Well now you can. I got the chance to interview varsity player Lauren Leon and ask her about everything on our minds: every detail about her success on varsity, how she got there, and the secret to her success.
Lauren has been playing on varsity since 7th grade and just achieved the ultimate achievement: scoring her 1,000th point as a part of the varsity program as a junior. She will be going into her senior season next year.
When did you start playing basketball? Why?
“I started playing basketball when I was around 8 years old. My mom put me into a program called STS Sports and ever since then I fell in love with the game. In the Bronx, I would go to Kips Bay after school and continue to get better. I would say my why is my mom. She’s always taught me to strive to be the best I can be. I see that in her actions every day. So that translates for me with basketball in a way.”
How has being a part of the girl’s varsity team for so long helped you be a better leader going into your senior season?
“I was pulled up at the end of 7th grade so I learned from more experienced players like Grace Galgano and Jordan Niles…Being pulled up at that time really helped me learn more about the sport.”
What are your goals for your senior season?
“For my senior season, I want to help Brewster win a gold ball. I’ve mentioned this to Castaldo multiple times and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get one. I truly believe we can do it because the team is extremely talented and experienced since many have played on varsity before. I would also like to become the girls all time leading scorer. I am under 100 points away. Another accomplishment I would like to achieve is to be league champions next year.”
How does the reality of hitting 1000 points as a varsity player compare to how you imagined it?
“It was way more. I always expected to hit it junior year, but the nerves beforehand matched no other, and also the student section was insane! I was also In my own head the whole time leading up to it because of all the nerves. In the end it just felt like all the hard work paid off.”
Was there ever a point in your career where hitting this number felt out of reach? How did you push past that doubt?
“I always knew I was gonna get it, it was just the question of when. I wanted it during junior year, but I knew there was also the possibility of it happening during senior year. For me to be sure that I’d get it meant, putting in the extra work, talking to my coaches, putting extra shots up when I wasn’t practicing. By putting all the work it I felt more confidence in myself.”
What did it mean to you to have the support from your teammates after earning this huge milestone?
“It showed how close we were to each other; we were all on the same page. It really showed the strength of our team chemistry. We went from a 5-win team to a win-5th team.”
What is the varsity team dynamic like for you?
“It’s very positive. I’ve been a part of different teams in my life but this year’s was my favorite to be a part of. We’ve really built what feels like our own friend group.”
How has the college recruiting process been so far? Exciting? Stressful?
“It’s been exciting so far, I get to see all the different types of programs. I wouldn’t say its stressful since I know I put in the work to get there…It’s cool to see the differences between D1, 2, and 3. Getting to meet the coaches and see the facilities.”
You heard it here first Brewster. Be sure to check out Lauren and keep up with her highlights next season. Best of luck in the future, Lauren!